ANOINTING OF THE SICK

At Our Lady of Africa Catholic Church Mbuya Parish, we offer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to provide spiritual strength, peace, and healing to those who are seriously ill or facing significant health challenges. This sacrament is a profound expression of God’s mercy and love, bringing comfort and grace during times of physical and emotional suffering.

Understanding the Anointing of the Sick

The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of healing that:

1. Offers Spiritual Healing: It provides the sick with the grace to endure suffering in a Christian manner, uniting their pain with the suffering of Christ.
2. Confers Peace and Courage: It grants peace, strength, and courage to overcome the difficulties associated with illness.
3. Forgives Sins: If the person is unable to confess, the sacrament offers forgiveness of sins and prepares the soul for eternal life.
4. May Lead to Physical Healing: While not primarily a means of physical healing, it can sometimes lead to recovery if it is God’s will.
5. Who Can Receive the Anointing of the Sick?
6. This sacrament is available to:
7. Those Seriously Ill: Any baptized Catholic suffering from a serious illness or undergoing major surgery.
8. The Elderly: Those experiencing the frailty and health challenges of old age.
9. The Dying: Those approaching the end of life, to prepare their souls for a peaceful passage to eternal life.

The Rite of Anointing

The Anointing of the Sick involves several key elements:

• Prayer of Faith: The priest, along with family and friends if present, prays for the sick person, invoking God’s healing grace.
• Laying on of Hands: The priest lays hands on the sick person, a gesture signifying the invocation of the Holy Spirit.
• Anointing with Oil: The priest anoints the forehead and hands of the sick person with the Oil of the Sick, blessed by the bishop, while praying for their healing and salvation.
• Eucharist (if possible): If the person is able, they may receive Holy Communion, often referred to as Viaticum when given to those near death.

How to Request the Sacrament

To receive the Anointing of the Sick, please follow these steps:

• Contact the Parish Office: Reach out to our parish office to schedule an appointment for the sacrament.
• Provide Necessary Information: Inform us of the nature of the illness and the preferred time and place for the anointing.
• Home and Hospital Visits: Our priests are available to visit homes, hospitals, and care facilities to administer the sacrament.

Additional Pastoral Care

• Beyond the Anointing of the Sick, Our Lady of Africa Catholic Church Mbuya Parish offers continued support for the sick and their families:
• Regular Visits: Scheduled visits by our clergy and pastoral team to offer prayer, support, and the sacraments.
• Prayer Groups: Parish prayer groups dedicated to praying for the sick and their families.
• Counseling and Support: Spiritual and emotional support for those facing illness and their loved ones.

For more information or to request the Anointing of the Sick, please contact us

At Our Lady of Africa Catholic Church Mbuya Parish, we are committed to providing compassionate care and spiritual support to those in need of God’s healing grace. May the peace and comfort of Christ be with you and your loved ones during times of illness and recovery.

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